Heat-dissipating fin and heat-dissipating fin assembly

ABSTRACT

A heat-dissipating fin comprises a first longitudinal section, a second longitudinal section, a first contacting section extending transversely from the first longitudinal section, a second contacting section extending transversely from the second longitudinal section, and a third contacting section connected between the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section and extending transversely. When a plurality of heat-dissipating fins are assembled, contact among the first contacting sections, among the second contacting sections, and among the third contacting sections of the heat-dissipating fins are established.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Patent Application No. 100134978, filed on Sep. 28, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to a heat-dissipating fin, more particularly to a unitary structure of a heat-dissipating fin.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional heat sink comprises a plurality of elongate heat-dissipating fins assembled together. Each of the heat-dissipating fins is made of an aluminum plate or other materials of good thermal conductivity, and has a bent structure for being engaged with an adjacent one of the heat-dissipating fins. However, the conventional heat sink has following defects. With the bent structures, only point contact or linear contact may be generated between each adjacent pair of heat-dissipating fins assembled together through interconnected engaging portions, which results in poor thermal conduction among the heat-dissipating fins along a transverse direction (that is, a direction in which the heat-dissipating fins are arranged), thereby resulting in heat accumulation.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Therefore, an object of this disclosure is to provide a heat-dissipating fin and a heat-dissipating fin assembly that can solve the problem of transverse thermal conduction among the heat-dissipating fins associated with the prior art.

According to an aspect of this disclosure, a heat-dissipating fin comprises a first longitudinal section extending along a longitudinal direction, a first contacting section extending transversely from the first longitudinal section along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a second longitudinal section connected with the first longitudinal section and extending along the longitudinal direction, a second contacting section extending transversely from the second longitudinal section, and a third contacting section connected between the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section and extending transversely. When two heat-dissipating fins are interconnected, the first contacting sections of the heat-dissipating fins are contacted with each other, the second contacting sections of the heat-dissipating fins are contacted with each other, and the third contacting sections of the heat-dissipating fins are contacted with each other.

Therefore, the effect of this disclosure is that, the heat-dissipating fins are interconnected in such a manner that at least surface contact is generated between the first contacting sections, between the second contacting sections, and between the third contacting sections, thereby increasing the contact area among the heat-dissipating fins, and enhancing the transverse thermal conduction between the heat-dissipating fins along an arrangement direction thereof. Therefore, an overall heat-dissipating fin assembly has a relatively uniform temperature distribution on the heat-dissipating fins to enhance the heat-dissipating effect of the overall heat-dissipating fin assembly.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a heat-dissipating fin assembly comprises a plurality of the above-mentioned heat-dissipating fins interconnected along the transverse direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other technical contents, features, and effects of this disclosure will be clearly presented from the following detailed description of the embodiments in coordination with the reference drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a heat-dissipating fin according to this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the heat-dissipating fin of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an assembly of a plurality of the heat-dissipating fins of the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the assembly in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a variation of the heat-dissipating fin of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a heat-dissipating fin 1 in an embodiment of this disclosure is integrally formed from, for example, an aluminum plate or other materials of good thermal conductivity by stamping. The heat-dissipating fin 1 includes a first longitudinal section 11, a second longitudinal section 12, a first contacting section 13, a second contacting section 14, and a third contacting section 15. When a plurality of the heat-dissipating fins 1 are interconnected, the first contacting sections 13 of the heat-dissipating fins 1 are contacted with each other, the second contacting sections 14 of the heat-dissipating fins 1 are contacted with each other, and the third contacting sections 15 of the heat-dissipating fins 1 are contacted with each other, so as to enhance the thermal conduction efficiency among the heat-dissipating fins 1 to thus improve the heat-dissipating effect of the heat-dissipating fins 1, which will be described below in detail.

Each of the first and second longitudinal sections 11, 12 extends along a longitudinal direction (i.e., a vertical direction in this embodiment). The first contacting section 13 extends transversely from the first longitudinal section 11. In particular, in this embodiment, both the first longitudinal section 11 and the second longitudinal section 12 extend in a vertical direction. The first contacting section 13 includes a first plate portion 131 extending transversely from a top end of the first longitudinal section 11, a second plate portion 132 higher than the first plate portion 131 and also extending transversely, and a third plate portion 133 connected between the first plate portion 131 and the second plate portion 132 and extending longitudinally. In practice, the first contacting section 13 is bent from the first longitudinal section 11. Due to the presence of the third plate portion 133, a height difference is generated between the first plate portion 131 and the second plate portion 132.

The second contacting section 14 extends transversely from the second longitudinal section 12. In particular, in this embodiment, the second contacting section 14 extends transversely, and includes a connecting end 141 and a free end 142 that are opposite to each other. The connecting end 141 is connected to a bottom end of the second longitudinal section 12. The free end 142 extends in a direction away from the second longitudinal section 12. In practice, the second contacting section 14 is bent from the second longitudinal section 12. Certainly, the second contacting section 14 may have the same structure as that of the first contacting section 13, and includes three plate portions that are similar respectively to the first plate 131, the second plate 132, and the third plate 133 of the first contacting section 13.

The third contacting section 15 is connected between the first longitudinal section 11 and the second longitudinal section 12, and extends transversely. In particular, in this embodiment, the third contacting section 15 includes a first end 151 and a second end 152 that are opposite to each other. The first end 151 of the third contacting section 15 is connected with a top end of the second longitudinal section 12. The second end 152 is connected with a bottom end of the first longitudinal section 11. That is, the first longitudinal section 11, the third contacting section 15 and the second longitudinal section 12 are formed by stamping from a single plate. Due to the presence of the third contacting section 15, the first longitudinal section 11 and the second longitudinal section 12 are misaligned from each other. In this embodiment, the first contacting section 13, the second contacting section 14 and the third contacting section 15 of the heat-dissipating fin 1 are parallel to one another.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the heat-dissipating fins 1 are interconnected along a rectilinear direction 101, the first longitudinal sections 11 of any two adjacent ones of the heat-dissipating fins 1 are spaced apart from each other, and the second longitudinal sections 12 of any two adjacent ones of the heat-dissipating fins 1 are spaced apart from each other. The second plate portion 132 of the first contacting section 13 of each heat-dissipating fin 1 is overlapped on the first plate portion 131 of the first contacting section 13 of an adjacent one of the heat-dissipating fins 1. The second end 152 of the third contacting section 15 of one heat-dissipating fin 1 is contacted with the first end 151 of the third contacting section 15 of the other heat-dissipating fin 1. The free end 142 of the second contacting section 14 of each heat-dissipating fin 1 is contacted with the connecting end 141 of the second contacting section 14 of an adjacent one of the heat-dissipating fins 1.

It should be noted that, when the second plate portion 132 of the first contacting section 13 of one heat-dissipating fin 1 is overlapped on the first plate portion 131 of the first contacting section 13 of another heat-dissipating fin 1, a surface contact occurs therebetween. Preferably, the second plate portions 132 of the two adjacent heat-dissipating fins 1 are further connected with each other. More particularly, the ends of the second plate portions 132 of the two adjacent heat-dissipating fins 1 are further contacted with each other. In this case, an additional linear contact or surface contact is generated between the ends of the second plate portions 132.

In addition, a linear contact or surface contact is generated between the free end 142 of the second contacting section 14 of each heat-dissipating fin 1 and the connecting end 141 of the second contacting section 14 of an adjacent one of the heat-dissipating fins 1.

A linear contact or surface contact is also generated between the second end 152 of the third contacting section 15 of each heat-dissipating fin 1 and the first end 151 of the third contacting section 15 of an adjacent one of the heat-dissipating fins 1.

Thus, as mentioned above, when a plurality of the heat-dissipating fins 1 are interconnected to form a heat-dissipating fin assembly 100, linear contacts or surface contacts are generated at least among the first contacting sections 13 of the heat-dissipating fins 1, among the second contacting sections 14 of the heat-dissipating fins 1, and among the third contacting sections 15 of the heat-dissipating fins 1. Consequently, the contact area among the heat-dissipating fins 1 is increased, the thermal conduction effect of the heat-dissipating fins 1 in a transverse direction, i.e., the rectilinear direction 101, is enhanced, heat accumulation at some of the heat-dissipating fins 1 is avoided, and the influences on a surface temperature of the heat-dissipating fins 1, in which heat is accumulated is reduced. Thus, the heat-dissipating fin assembly 100 has a relatively uniform temperature distribution on the heat-dissipating fins 1, so as to enhance the heat-dissipating effect of the overall heat-dissipating fin assembly 100.

To sum up, the heat-dissipating fins 1 are formed by stamping to have the transversely extending first contacting section 13, the transversely extending second contacting section 14 and the transversely extending third contacting section 15 so that, when the heat-dissipating fins 1 are interconnected, the contact area between the heat-dissipating fins 1 is increased significantly.

The arrangement of heat-dissipating fins 1 may be changed. For example, in other variations, by adjusting the shapes of the heat-dissipating fins 1, the heat-dissipating fins 1 maybe arranged in other manners such as in an annular arrangement, while still maintaining contacts among the first contacting sections 13, among the second contacting sections 14 and among the third contacting sections 15.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the heat-dissipating fin 1 in this embodiment further comprises a first engaging mechanism 16 and a second engaging mechanism 17. The first engaging mechanism 16 and the second engaging mechanism 17 are provided at two positions on the first contacting section 13, respectively, such that the first engaging mechanism 16 of each heat-dissipating fin 1 of the heat-dissipating fin assembly 100 can be engaged with the second engaging mechanism 17 of an adjacent one of the heat-dissipating fins 1 of the heat-dissipating fin assembly 100. Specifically, the first engaging mechanism 16 includes at least one tab (a pair of tabs) projecting from one end of the second plate portion 132 distal from the third plate portion 133, and the second engaging mechanism 17 includes at least one engaging groove (a pair of engaging grooves in this embodiment) that is shaped as a notch and recessed from the other end of the second plate portion 132 (i.e., the end of the second plate portion 132 connected with the third plate portion 133). As two heat-dissipating fins 1 are interconnected, the first engaging mechanism 16 (tab) of one heat-dissipating fin is engaged into the second engaging mechanism 17 (engaging groove) of the other heat-dissipating fin 1, such that the second plate portion 132 and the first plate portion 131 of the two heat-dissipating fins 1 are stacked with each other.

Further, in this embodiment, the first longitudinal section 11 and the second longitudinal section 12 are misaligned from each other. However, in another variation, as shown in FIG. 5, a first longitudinal section 11′ and a second longitudinal section 12′ may be interconnected and aligned. In this case, a first contacting section 13′, a second contacting section 14′ and a third contacting section 15′ are spaced vertically, such that the heat-dissipating fin 1′ as a whole is shaped as a character “E” as seen from the side. Certainly, the structural variations of the heat-dissipating fin are not limited thereto.

To sum up, in this disclosure, with the structural design of the first contacting section 13, the second contacting section 14 and the third contacting section 15 of the heat-dissipating fin 1, when a plurality of heat-dissipating fins 1 are interconnected, contacts among the first contacting sections 13, among the second contacting sections 14 and among the third contacting sections 15 are established, which increases the contact area among the heat-dissipating fins 1, and enhances the thermal conductivity among the interconnected heat-dissipating fins 1. As such, the heat-dissipating fins 1 interconnected in a transverse direction have a relatively uniform temperature distribution, thereby enhancing the heat-dissipating effect of the heat-dissipating fins 1 and thus achieving the object of this disclosure.

While this disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat-dissipating fin comprising: a first longitudinal section extending along a longitudinal direction; a first contacting section extending transversely from said first longitudinal section along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; a second longitudinal section connected with said first longitudinal section and extending along the longitudinal direction; a second contacting section extending transversely from said second longitudinal section; and a third contacting section connected between said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section and extending transversely, wherein said first contacting section, said second contacting section, and said third contacting section of said heat-dissipating fin are provided in such a manner that, when said heat-dissipating fin is assembled with an additional heat-dissipating fin, said first contacting section of said heat-dissipating fin is contacted with said first contacting section of said additional heat-dissipating fin, said second contacting section of said heat-dissipating fin is contacted with said second contacting section of said additional heat-dissipating fin, and said third contacting section of said heat-dissipating fin is contacted with said third contacting section of said additional heat-dissipating fin.
 2. The heat-dissipating fin of claim 1, wherein said first contacting section includes a first plate portion connected with said first longitudinal section and extending transversely, a second plate portion higher than said first plate portion and extending transversely, and a third plate portion connected between said first plate portion and said second plate such that, when said heat-dissipating fin is assembled with said additional heat-dissipating fin, said second plate portion of said heat-dissipating fin is stacked with said first plate portion of said another heat-dissipating fin.
 3. The heat-dissipating fin of claim 2, further comprising a first engaging mechanism and a second engaging mechanism that are provided at said first contacting section, wherein, when said heat-dissipating fin is assembled with said additional heat-dissipating fin, said first engaging mechanism of said heat-dissipating fin is engaged with said second engaging mechanism of said additional heat-dissipating fin.
 4. The heat-dissipating fin of claim 3, wherein said second contacting section has a connecting end connected with said second longitudinal section, and a free end distal from said second longitudinal section, such that, when said heat-dissipating fin is assembled with said additional heat-dissipating fin, said free end of said second contacting section of said heat-dissipating fin is contacted with said connecting end of said second contacting section of said additional heat-dissipating fin.
 5. The heat-dissipating fin of claim 1, wherein said second contacting section has a connecting end connected with said second longitudinal section, and a free end distal from said second longitudinal section, such that, when said heat-dissipating fin is assembled with said additional heat-dissipating fin, said free end of said second contacting section of said heat-dissipating fin is contacted with said connecting end of said second contacting section of said additional heat-dissipating fin.
 6. The heat-dissipating fin of claim 5, wherein said third contacting section has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other, said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section being respectively connected with said second end and said first end of said third contacting section such that, when said heat-dissipating fin is assembled with said additional heat-dissipating fin, said second end of said third contacting section of said heat-dissipating fin is contacted with said first end of said third contacting section of said additional heat-dissipating fin.
 7. The heat-dissipating fin of claim 1, wherein said third contacting section has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other, said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section being respectively connected with said second end and said first end of said third contacting section such that, when said heat-dissipating fin is assembled with said additional heat-dissipating fin, said second end of said third contacting section of said heat-dissipating fin is contacted with said first end of said third contacting section of said additional heat-dissipating fin.
 8. The heat-dissipating fin of claim 3, wherein said third contacting section has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other, said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section being respectively connected with said second end and said first end of said third contacting section such that, when said heat-dissipating fin is assembled with said additional heat-dissipating fin, said second end of said third contacting section of said heat-dissipating fin is contacted with said first end of said third contacting section of said additional heat-dissipating fin.
 9. A heat-dissipating fin assembly comprising: at least two heat-dissipating fins, each of said heat-dissipating fins including: a first longitudinal section extending along a longitudinal direction; a first contacting section extending transversely from said first longitudinal section along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; a second longitudinal section connected with said first longitudinal section and extending along the longitudinal direction; a second contacting section extending transversely from said second longitudinal section; and a third contacting section connected between said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section and extending transversely, said first contacting sections of said heat-dissipating fins being contacted with each other, said second contacting sections of said heat-dissipating fins are contacted with each other, and said third contacting sections of said heat-dissipating fins being contacted with each other.
 10. The heat-dissipating fin assembly of claim 9, wherein said first contacting section includes a first plate portion connected with said first longitudinal section and extending transversely, a second plate portion higher than said first plate portion and extending transversely, and a third plate portion connected between said first plate portion and said second plate portion and extending longitudinally, said second plate portion of one of said heat-dissipating fins being stacked with said first plate portion of the other one of said heat-dissipating fins.
 11. The heat-dissipating fin assembly of claim 10, wherein each of said heat-dissipating fins further includes a first engaging mechanism and a second engaging mechanism provided at said first contacting section, said first engaging mechanism of one of said heat-dissipating fins being engaged with said second engaging mechanism of the other one of said heat-dissipating fins.
 12. The heat-dissipating fin assembly of claim 11, wherein said second contacting section of each of said heat-dissipating fins has a connecting end connected with said second longitudinal section, and a free end distal from said second longitudinal section, said free end of said second contacting section of one of said heat-dissipating fins being contacted with said connecting end of said second contacting section of the other one of said heat-dissipating fins.
 13. The heat-dissipating fin assembly of claim 9, wherein said second contacting section of each of said heat-dissipating fins has a connecting end connected with said second longitudinal section, and a free end distal from said second longitudinal section, said free end of said second contacting section of one of said heat-dissipating fins being contacted with said connecting end of said second contacting section of the other one of said heat-dissipating fins.
 14. The heat-dissipating fin assembly of claim 12, wherein said third contacting section is shaped as a plate and has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other, said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section being respectively connected with said second end and said first end of said third contacting section, wherein, when said heat-dissipating fins are assembled, said second end of said third contacting section of one of said heat-dissipating fins is contacted with said first end of said third contacting section of another one of said heat-dissipating fins.
 15. The heat-dissipating fin assembly of claim 9, wherein said third contacting section of each of said heat-dissipating fins has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other, said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section of each of said heat-dissipating fins being respectively connected with said second end and said first end of said third contacting section of a corresponding one of said heat-dissipating fins, said second end of said third contacting section of one of said heat-dissipating fins being contacted with said first end of said third contacting section of the other one of said heat-dissipating fins.
 16. The heat-dissipating fin assembly of claim 11, wherein said third contacting section of each of said heat-dissipating fins has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other, said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section of each of said heat-dissipating fins being respectively connected with said second end and said first end of said third contacting section of a corresponding one of said heat-dissipating fins, said second end of said third contacting section of one of said heat-dissipating fins being contacted with said first end of said third contacting section of the other one of said heat-dissipating fins. 